Medicine Hat, Alberta Then & Now: Part 2

A continuation of my "Then & Now" photo series of Medicine Hat, Alberta featuring archival and modern day images in side by side comparisons.

1912 & 2017 - 2nd Street

2nd Street decorated with banners and ribbons leading up to Canada's 45th birthday in 1912.

1912 & 2017 - Connaught School

The Duke of Connaught, member of the Royal Family and Governor General of Canada, helps to lay the cornerstone at a ceremony during the construction of Connaught School. More than a century on, Connaught School is still operating and the cornerstone is still in place.

1953 & 2017 - North Railway Street

Quite a few subtle changes along North Railway.

1970s & 2017 - Courthouse

While the courthouse looks pretty much the same, you'll notice that in addition to some landscaping, the back end of the building was actually expanded.

1913 & 2017 - Downtown

You might think that I used Finlay Bridge to line up these two shots, but it's actually Fifth Avenue Church (in the centre of both images) that really showcases the surrounding change.

1912 & 2017 - Fifth Avenue Church

Construction and modern day.

1912 & 2017 - 2nd Street

2nd Street decorated with banners and ribbons leading up to Canada's 45th birthday in 1912.

1910 & 2017 - Hotel Redcliff

The original structure is still visible in the modern day image, however it's clear that a lot has changed with this hotel in Redcliff, Alberta over the last century.

1936 & 2017 - Train Station

A passenger train prepares to load at the Medicine Hat train station in 1936. Not only has passenger service since ended, this area of the train station is now part of the parking lot in 2017.

Hiking To The Top of Medicine Hat's Cliffs

For years I've thought about doing this hike, but the truth is that despite being incredibly visible, these cliffs overlooking Police Point Park and the South Saskatchewan River aren't exactly the easiest place to get to in Medicine Hat, Alberta. There are giant gaps, coulees, fences, no trespassing signs, and no actual trails that lead here. But, when you've documented almost every other view in your hometown, you do what needs to be done. The extra effort proved to be worth the reward as I don't know that there's a more impressive place to see Medicine Hat from.

Medicine Hat, Alberta Then & Now: Part 1

It's fascinating to look at the evolution of a community over the span of a century, especially when that community is your hometown of Medicine Hat, Alberta. I've explored comparison photography before through my ghosting series, however there's something far more direct about trying to match up exact shots for side by side "then & now" examination. 

What buildings have survived, how has the city grown, when was that built, and are there any hidden clues revealed by comparing? I love how looking at these images actually leads to more questions about the how, why, and when behind things changing. The history of this prairie city is still very young, and while it's easy to be nostalgic or sentimental about what's been lost, I also see these images as proof of the many ways this community has flourished. 

1886 & 2017 - Downtown View

The archival image is of Medicine Hat in 1886, only 3 years after the railroad arrived and the settlement was officially founded. Notice the CPR Bridge is only single track in 1886, but was eventually upgraded to a double track as it looks today (however it's mostly obscured by trees from the same view in 2017). You can see a glimpse of Finlay Bridge in 2017 as well, but in 1886 it was still 22 years away from being built.



1906 & 2017 - Train Station

You can't really tell from this archival image, but the train station is actually half the size as it is in the modern image. It was doubled in size (by twinning the look of the station) in 1912.

1910s & 2017 - 2nd Street

On the left side of the archival image you'll notice Medicine Hat's old city hall and post office, which have since been replaced by BATUS Park and the Bank of Montreal. You can also see the Beveridge Block near the centre of both images. On the right, the Bank of Commerce was obscured by trees, but is still standing today.

1917 & 2017 - Corner of 1st Street and 6th Avenue.

This is the modern day location of Medicine Hat's City Hall, however a century ago it was where the Medicine Hat News and Empress Theatre stood.


1912 & 2017 - River View

The wider modern day shot showcases not only how much the city has grown over a century, but also how many trees were planted.

1920s & 2017 - Five Roses Flour Mill

The archival image shows the Five Roses Flour Mill after its largest expansion. The warehouse was downsized in the 1970s when the location was renovated into an inn and restaurant.

1912 & 2017 - Train Station

Separated by 105 years, the archival image shows the train station just after it was expanded that year. I like how even the trucks are in the same spot in this image.


1946 & 2017 - Intersection of 3rd Street and 6th Avenue.

The archival image is of the South Alberta Regiment returning from Europe after WWII. Despite a few changes, the intersection is still easily recognizable in both images.

1950 & 2017 - Assiniboia Inn

Prior to being renovated into the Assiniboia Hotel / Inn, the archival image shows what the Hooper-Huckvale Block looked like in 1950. Today, despite the hotel having been closed for years, the old neon sign and early 1950s exterior remain.

Former Fire Station #2 in Medicine Hat, Alberta

Earlier this year the former Fire Station #2 located on Dunmore Road in Medicine Hat, Alberta was up for sale. With a new fire station opened on Trans Canada Way, the future of this distinct structure seemed uncertain. Flash forward to this past week and renovations to transform the former fire hall into a unique commercial space have begun.

The local couple who purchased the fire station sent me a message last week asking if I'd like to come and explore the building. As it turned it out they were just beginning to remove some of the drop ceilings so the space otherwise looked pretty much unchanged from when the firefighters had vacated it. While it's certainly not the most conventional renovation, the two expressed how they plan to maintain some of the unique characteristics of the fire hall. This should definitely be an interesting transformation to keep an eye on, not unlike some of the other unique spaces (like the Beveridge Block or Earl Kitchener) that I've documented in Medicine Hat.

Inside the hose tower of the former fire station.